A BUILDING services engineering company headquartered in Basingstoke has taken on a record number of apprentices when most firms are struggling with a skills shortage.

IEI managing director Ray Manning believes one of the reasons for the success is that youngsters are being put off going to university because they don't want to be burdened with thousands of pounds of student debt.

Instead, they are turning to apprenticeships, which give them hands-on training, together with day release at college and the chance to then be sponsored through university and secure a job at the end of it.

Most of the 16 new apprentices, based in IEI's offices in Basing View, are 16 and 17-year-old school leavers from the Basingstoke area.

And, for the first time, two girls - Brenda Blaize and Zoe Tillett - have signed up with IEI.

Only two of the apprentices are graduates. They are Cian Hennessy, 24, and Joe Mockler, 23, who have moved to Basingstoke from Ireland.

Mr Manning, 56, is a firm believer in the apprenticeship route to engineering qualifications - it was the way he started as a 16-year-old. Now he is managing director of IEI, which is part of the Kier Group, and has an annual turnover of £40million a year.

IEI has a staff of 261 and is expanding on to a second floor at its Southern Cross headquarters.

Mr Manning, whose confidence in the firm is riding high, said: "Next year looks similar to this. We have a strong forward order book."

Among IEI's current projects are the new Oxfam headquarters in Oxford and the Diagnosis and Treatment Centre at Basingstoke hospital.

Success in recruiting a record number of apprentices has come from a response to advertising in The Gazette, working with local schools and, more recently, becoming a member of the Basingstoke Consortium, which organises work experience for students.

Mr Manning said: "This latest figure is the most apprentices we have ever taken on. It is usually only three or four a year.

"We had hoped to take on eight, but the quality was so good and they are the future.

"I think the turnaround has come from the cost of further education. Debt is a millstone and, this way, apprentices can earn money, acquire qualifications and have no debt."

Mr Manning, who believes in engineering being a passport to career success, takes time to meet potential apprentices with their parents and explain the career options that are open to them.

Taking local students from the Basingstoke area has led to a good track record for IEI. Mr Manning says that most stay on, which eases staff retention problems.

He is also sure that the redevelopment of Basingstoke with Festival Place has helped with staffing issues. Mr Manning said: "Festival Place has revitalised Basingstoke and is helping to keep a young workforce.

"There are bars and restaurants and you could be anywhere in Europe.

"Basingstoke has become a great place."

IEI has a set training programme for its new apprentices to give them wide experiences in the various departments and will be taking on another three or four next year.

And his message to other employers was: "Everyone in industry has a duty to train. Construction needs a huge amount of new blood in it.

"If we can do it, other businesses can do it too."

The new apprentices are Adam Berry, Brenda Blaize, Craig Larby, Zoe Tillett, Grant Walker, James Watson, Michael Wingrove, Oliver Gladstone, Will Pickett, Jeremy Reynolds, Ashlee Rising, Mark Steadman, Craig Sawyer, Craig Short, Cian Hennessy and Joe Mockler.